Book-rack



J. W. HINE.

BooK RACK.

(No Model.)

No. 447,730. Patented Mar. 3, 1891.

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UNITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

JAMES lV. HINE, OF JAMESTOXVN, NEV YORK.

BOOK-RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 447,730, dated March 3, 1891.

Application filed April 14, 1890. Serial No. 347,847. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES W. II1NE,a citizen of the United States, residing at Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua and State of -New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Book-Racks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is a case and support for books which have to be frequently examined, and especially such heavy books as are used for county records, dac., that are difficult to handle and which are apt to be rapidly worn when handled in the ordinary manner; and my improved ease and support is constructed as fully set forth hereinafter, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a case or support. Fig. 2 is an enlarged front eleration in part section. Fig. 3 is a transverse section enlarged.

The main parts of theimproved book-rack are the case A, the platform or table B, and the supports C. The case A maybe single, in which case the platform is single-that is, permitting the insertion of books only from one side; but as shown both are double, so that books may be received and withdrawn from both sides. The case A consists of side pieces 1 2, a bottom 3, and a top 4, and a series of parallel vertical partitions 5, which may extend to the top 4, or, as shown, they extend to a strip 6, parallel with the top, leaving a space between the strip and the top for the reception of drawers S. These parts are preferably all made of sheet metal, the bottom piece 3 being stamped or bent up to form side and end flanges 9, thereby elevating the bottom a little above the top of the platform B, and both the bottom and the top pieces have holes 10 to receive projections 11 at the ends of the partitions, while the side pieces 1 and 2 are riveted or otherwise secured to the side flanges of the top and bottom pieces. The platform or table B is flat at the center, the flat portion extending slightly in front of the back portion and is inclined toward each edge, as shown, and along the hat portion of the platform extend two rollers or lines of rollers 12 13, turning in ears 14 or other suitable supports upon the platform, both rollers extending above the surface ofthe platform, and the inner roller 12 extending above the upper face of the bottom piece 3 of the rack. When, as shown, the platform B is of metal it is preferably stamped from a single plate to form the flat and theinelined portions, and is braced at either end by cross-pieces 15, also of metal, to which are connected the supports C, preferably in the form of metallic posts 16, connected by braces 17 of any suitable character.

The books are preferably inserted in the racks with their backs inward, especially when said books are very heavy, asis the case with county records, records of surveys, tbc., and when it is desired to examine one of such books itis drawn outward onto the inner roller 12 and is then tilted thereon, so as to lift its lower edge away from the bottom 3, thereby reducing frictional wear and -labor in carrying the book forward. It then passes onto the other roller 13 and upon both rollers until the back passes beyond the roller 12, when the back end or edge may be tilted downward at an angle to and resting upon the front of the case, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2, when the book may be opened and examined while thus standing in an inclined position, so that it is-held in place, permitting of ready examination Witliout any exertion upon the part of the party inspecting it and without any strain or wear upon the book itself. lVhen the examination is nished, the lids of the book are brought together and over the roller 13 and the book is tilted and brought onto said roller and is rocked thereon until it is above the roller 12, after which it may be pushed back upon both rollers and into the rack with but little exertion.

By the use of a rack or support of the chai'- acter described the wear and injury of heavy books, the bindings of'which under ordinary circumstances are quickly destroyed, is indefinitely prolonged.

By making the structure of metal it is rendered fire-proof, so that it can be used in connection with other lire-proof office-furniture in buildings especially erected for the preservation of records.

In order to maintain the leaves of a book in their open position I combine with the rack clips D, each consisting of awire bent to form a coil 18 andatinger 19,and a stem 20, which is threaded to receive a nutl on the outside IOC of :i [lange of the strip G, :i nut inside form, and two separated lines of rollers snptlle flange clmnping the deviee in plziee. ported above the platform parallel to each lVlien not in use, the device is turned to other and in frontot' the ease, substantially :is Carry the Finger Il!) to its horizontal position, set forth. 5 5 but whenaibookisto behold open the device In testimony whereof I have signed my is swung to carry the finger over the leaves naine 'to this specification in the presence of oi' the book. i two subscribing witnesses.

Without limiting' myself to the precise eon- J'AUEQ \V. NINE. struction and arrangement of parts shown, I lVitwnesSes: io elaim- A. C. XVADE,

The combination of the book-ense, the plat- CI-ms. J. JENNEH. 

